WNBA DFS Breakdown: Tuesday

WNBA DFS Breakdown: Tuesday

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TEAM TRENDS

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DraftKings and FanDuel Top Values (RotoWire Optimizer)

Top 5 DraftKings

PLAYERPOSTEAMOPPSALFPTSVAL
Katie Lou SamuelsonGLADAL520019.993.8
Ariel AtkinsGWAS@IND710025.813.6
Bria HartleyGINDWAS300010.533.5
Courtney WilliamsGCON@LVA690023.213.4
Allie QuigleyGCHIPHO610020.673.4

Top 5 FanDuel

PLAYERPOSTEAMOPPSALFPTS
Katie Lou SamuelsonGLADAL430019.48
Tina CharlesFPHO@CHI740031.06
Courtney WilliamsGCON@LVA550023.05
Diana TaurasiGPHO@CHI620025.43
Allie QuigleyGCHIPHO490019.86

Washington Mystics (-7.5) at Indiana Fever

Injuries

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Washington

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Alysha ClarkFCovid-19OUT6/3/2022
Klara LundquistGIllnessOFS5/1/2023

Indiana

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Bria HartleyGHamstringGTD5/31/2022
Bernadett HatarCKneeOFS2/1/2023
Chelsey PerryFPersonalOFS2/1/2023

2022 Player Stats

Washington

PlayerPosGMinPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM
Ariel AtkinsG930.315.13.22.71.60.12.1
Elena Delle DonneF629.317.76.52.20.81.31.8
Shakira AustinC9219.65.910.81.10
Natasha CloudG730.610.73.46.71.10.31.4
Shatori Walker-KimbroughG9236.82.61.81.70.20.3
Myisha Hines-AllenF919.15.94.62.30.80.30.6
Kennedy BurkeG5199.82.80.81.80.21.2
Tianna HawkinsF814.55.52.41.40.50.10.4
Rui MachidaG9183.11.83.20.300.4
Alysha ClarkF421.36.541.80.30.30.3
Elizabeth WilliamsF416.862.310.510
Katie BenzanG3960.70.300.31.7
Stephanie JonesF36.32.30.70.30.300.3

Indiana

PlayerPosGMinPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM
Kelsey MitchellG1032.9192.23.910.32.2
Victoria ViviansG1027.312.33.82.31.20.11.7
NaLyssa SmithF630.213.79.21.50.70.31.2
Destanni HendersonG1017.57.61.530.90.11.1
Emily EngstlerF1020.17.47.31.30.61.40.4
Queen EgboC10247.27.11.41.41.30
Danielle RobinsonG727.493.74.40.60.10.3
Tiffany MitchellG915.65.61.40.90.70.10.4
Alanna SmithF912.94.32.70.60.90.70.7
Alaina CoatesC6113.82.20.30.20.50
Crystal DangerfieldG316.3613.300.70.7
Lexie HullG881.90.80.40.300.3

The Skinny

One of two games kicking off the night, The Mystics are understandably the only road favorite of the night, owning a 6-3 record despite facing a comparable schedule to the Fever. The Fever are building a young nucleus with hopes of becoming a factor in the future and have pieced together some solid performances in the last pair of tilts, picking up a win over the Sparks last time out after keeping pace with the Sky the previous contest. Washington is coming off of a tough road loss to the Sun and is just 3-3 over the last six contests after a 3-0 start, but the last six have all come against teams with winning records.

Elena Delle Donne is set to return for Washington after a scheduled rest day, which should scale back some workloads in the frontcourt. That being said, Alysha Clark will miss her second consecutive game while working through COVID-19 protocols. That should leave some extra minutes available in the frontcourt for the likes of Myisha Hines-Allen and Elizabeth Williams. They'll need the extra height to keep up with a lengthy Fever team that outduels opponents to a 50.7 percent rebound rate. That being said, the Fever have allowed opponents to get to the rim most of any opponent this season and also struggle with fouls, sending opponents to the line a slate-high 24.3 times per game. Natasha Cloud and Shakira Austin are two players who fit both molds of scoring inside consistently and getting to the charity stripe, so they are candidates for expanded outputs.

Washington isn't quite as proficient on the glass as the Fever, reeling in only 48.2 percent of the available boards thus far. This could open room for some extra available boards. That being said, the Mystics allow a slate-low 15.7 field-goal attempts per game from inside five feet, instead forcing opponents to settle for more mid-range shots. That could make things a bit more difficult players like Emily Engstler and Queen Egbo, who haven't proven the ability to score from very far from the rim consistently. NaLyssa Smith, Victoria Vivians and Kelsey Mitchell are scorers have displayed mid-range abilities and could benefit if the defensive game plan for the Mystics holds true.

Phoenix Mercury at Chicago Sky (-8.5)

Injuries

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Phoenix

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Brittney GrinerCNot Injury RelatedOUT6/17/2022
Kia NurseGKneeOUT7/2/2022

Chicago

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Julie AllemandGSuspensionSUSP6/3/2022
Leonie FiebichFPersonalOFS5/1/2023
Astou Ndour-FallCRestOFS5/1/2023

2022 Player Stats

Phoenix

PlayerPosGMinPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM
Diamond DeShieldsG729.916.42.93.11.10.10.9
Diana TaurasiG830.914.32.64.30.30.52.4
Tina CharlesC83213.97.51.810.51
Skylar Diggins-SmithG633.317.24.54.21.30.71.5
Shey PeddyG624.89.82.53.21.30.31.2
Sophie CunninghamG619.57.83.30.80.501.5
Megan GustafsonF89.44.82.40.100.30.4
Brianna TurnerF731.94.77.62.41.61.30
Kristine AnigweF671.71.70.30.20.30
Karlie SamuelsonG110331001
Emma CannonF16321000
Sam ThomasF77.70.30.40.30.30.30
Jennie SimmsF112241000

Chicago

PlayerPosGMinPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM
Alyssa ThomasF831.616.37.64.820.10
Jonquel JonesF824.913.881.3111
Brionna JonesC826.613.15.30.91.50.60
Natisha HiedemanG822.39.82.13.51.601.8
DeWanna BonnerG529.4144.42.41.20.62
DiJonai CarringtonG821.48.33.41.41.500.5
Courtney WilliamsG625.793.53.70.30.20.5
Yvonne AndersonG612.75.51.31.80.30.30.7
Jasmine ThomasG521.86.62.230.60.21
Nia CloudenG67.81.30.50.30.50.20.2
Joyner HolmesF68.80.31.50.50.20.20
Li YueruC14230110
Tina KrajisnikC22.50010.500
Kaela DavisG110011000

The Skinny

The Mercury and Sky square off in the second game of the night firing up to open the slate. With Phoenix struggling in the early going sans Brittney Griner to give the team some length, it could be another tough one in store for a Phoenix club that has lost five straight games. At the same time, the Mercury have faced the toughest schedule in the league to date, while the Sky have faced one of the easier schedules thus far. The Sky lost a tough one Saturday to the Aces due to a rough second quarter but won the two prior and are at nearly full strength entering this one. 

Chicago has played reasonably well both offensively and defensively thus far, checking in fourth in both categories this season, so the Mercury may have some tough work ahead to keep pace. Second chance points have been a problem for the Sky, allowing a league-high 14.4 points per game and 40.0 points per game in the paint, the second-highest total in the league. This could bode well for Brianna Turner, who leads the club with 2.4 offensive boards per contest and scores nearly 85 percent of her buckets (team-high percentage) in the paint. Diamond DeShields also scores a lot in the paint and could get in some extra stat padding as a result. The Mercury will also have some reinforcements for this one, with both Shey Peddy and Sophie Cunningham set to rejoin the fold.

The Sky also have an opportunity to get involved more on the glass in this one, taking on a Mercury club that sports just a 47.9 percent rebound rate, the second-worst mark on the slate. Chicago has four different players averaging at least five boards per game, so, while the extra boards should benefit the fantasy lines, there isn't a clear winner as to who will benefit the most. Another area worth monitoring for Sky fantasy players is the three-point line, where the Mercury are surrendering a slate-worst 9.5 makes per game. The players who fit into both categories are Candace Parker (5.0 3PA, 8.1 REB), Azura Stevens (3.4 3PA, 5.1 REB) and Courtney Vandersloot (3.0 3PA, 5.0 REB), so they could experience the biggest boost based on matchup.

Connecticut Sun at Las Vegas Aces (-4.0)

Injuries

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Connecticut

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Joyner HolmesFCovid-19OUT6/2/2022
Kiara SmithGUndisclosedOFS5/1/2023
Jasmine ThomasGKneeOFS5/1/2023

Las Vegas

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Riquna WilliamsGFootOUT6/2/2022

2022 Player Stats

Connecticut

PlayerPosGMinPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM
Alyssa ThomasF831.616.37.64.820.10
Jonquel JonesF824.913.881.3111
Brionna JonesC826.613.15.30.91.50.60
Natisha HiedemanG822.39.82.13.51.601.8
DeWanna BonnerG529.4144.42.41.20.62
DiJonai CarringtonG821.48.33.41.41.500.5
Courtney WilliamsG625.793.53.70.30.20.5
Yvonne AndersonG612.75.51.31.80.30.30.7
Jasmine ThomasG521.86.62.230.60.21
Nia CloudenG67.81.30.50.30.50.20.2
Joyner HolmesF68.80.31.50.50.20.20

Las Vegas

PlayerPosGMinPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM
Arike OgunbowaleG83118.82.43.510.12.8
Marina MabreyG82514.943.80.802.4
Allisha GrayG832.113.65.31.90.91.62
Isabelle HarrisonC825.9106.11.91.30.50
Kayla ThorntonF830.387.51.61.10.41
Satou SaballyF320.712.34100.30.7
Teaira McCowanC78.44.12.30.4000
Tyasha HarrisG715.7413.10.40.30.3
Awak KuierF89.921.80.40.30.90.1
Charli CollierC54.61.40.60000
Veronica BurtonG812.10.51.810.80.30
Jasmine DickeyG52.400.40.20.200
Moriah JeffersonG14000000

The Skinny

Two titans clash in this contest, with the Sun leading the way in the East at 6-2 and the Aces owning the best record in the league at 8-1. The four-point spread in this one displays how close this contest is viewed to be. The primary injuries to see in this contest are star point guard Jasmine Thomas being lost for the season to a knee injury and Riquna Williams sitting out another contest for the Aces. 

With the Sun down Thomas for the rest of the season, Alyssa Thomas has taken over the primary distributor duties, averaging 6.3 assists in the three games since Thomas suffered the season-ending injury. The transition hasn't come without its bumps, with Thomas turning the ball over a season-high seven times Sunday versus the Mystics. On the plus side for Thomas, the Aces are turning over opponents a league-low 11.3 times per game, so her turnover woes from Sunday may not be as concerning in this one. The Aces have forced teams to settle for a slate-high 25.7 three-point attempts per game, with the opposition converting at just a 29.0 percent rate thus far, and have cleared the boards and 48.0 percent, so there could be slightly fewer boards available for the Sun than they are used to. DeWanna Bonner (4.4 3PA) an, Natisha Hiedeman (4.1 3PA) and Jonquel Jones (3.0 3PA) are the three primary shooters from deep for Connecticut who could benefit if they are forced to launch more than usual.

While the Aces rank fourth in defensive efficiency, the Sun aren't too far behind in sixth. Connecticut also runs at the second-slowest pace in the league, neither of which bode particularly well in terms of improved fantasy production over average. The Aces are the most efficient team on the offensive end of the floor and will need to be that again, as the Sun clear boards at a league-high 47.1 percent rate. The tough matchup could lead to some slight downgrades in salary prices, which could be beneficial if you find the right edge. Connecticut has turned the ball over via steals 7.9 times per contest thus far, which could work in the favor of Jackie Young (1.7 steals per game) and Chelsea Gray, the Aces' two primary pick-pocket options. The Sun also tend to force the outside shot more than most, lining Kelsey Plum (6.6 3PA per game) up for potentially more looks along with Young (3.0 3PA), Gray (3.0 3PA) and Thereasa Plaisance (3.6 3PA).

Dallas Wings at Los Angeles Sparks (-1.5)

Injuries

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Dallas

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Bella AlarieFPersonalOFS5/1/2023

Los Angeles

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Jordin CanadaGHamstringGTD5/31/2022
Lexie BrownGCalfGTD5/31/2022
Kristi ToliverGSuspensionSUSP6/5/2022
Rae BurrellGKneeOUT7/1/2022
Amanda Zahui B.CUndisclosedOFS4/1/2023

2022 Player Stats

Dallas

          
PlayerPosGMinPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM
Arike OgunbowaleG83118.82.43.510.12.8
Marina MabreyG82514.943.80.802.4
Allisha GrayG832.113.65.31.90.91.62
Isabelle HarrisonC825.9106.11.91.30.50
Kayla ThorntonF830.387.51.61.10.41
Satou SaballyF320.712.34100.30.7
Teaira McCowanC78.44.12.30.4000
Tyasha HarrisG715.7413.10.40.30.3
Awak KuierF89.921.80.40.30.90.1
Charli CollierC54.61.40.60000
Veronica BurtonG812.10.51.810.80.30
Jasmine DickeyG52.400.40.20.200
Moriah JeffersonG14000000

Los Angeles

PlayerTeamPosGMinPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM
Nneka OgwumikeLAF1032.618.17.31.91.80.60.9
Liz CambageLAC1025.415.65.91.70.71.80.4
Jordin CanadaLAG927.211.32.25.31.30.20.2
Chennedy CarterLAG1015.79.71.72.40.50.60
Brittney SykesLAG1027.58.33.93.52.710.1
Lexie BrownLAG1029.27.72.72.50.90.21.8
Katie Lou SamuelsonLAG624.2102.31.20.80.22.2
Chiney OgwumikeLAF816.45.94.30.80.900.1
Jasmine WalkerLAF711.42.11.90.30.30.10.4
Olivia Nelson-OdodaLAF411.33.51.50.300.80
Rae BurrellLAG314.71.710.30.700.3
Amy AtwellLAF480.80.50.5000.3

The Skinny

The Wings were unable to replicate the win over the Sun last Tuesday in the rematch Thursday, getting blown out by 31 points in the second contest in three days between the two clubs. The good news for them is that the Sparks haven't shown to be on the same level thus far, starting things off with just a 4-6 record through the first 10 games. The Sparks are still dealing with numerous absences and injuries, with Kristi Toliver not yet with the team and Lexie Brown and Jordin Canada both questionable due to various injuries. This game features the smallest spread at just 1.5 points, with the home-court advantage going toward the Sparks in what is likely a toss-up.

If the Sparks are down both guards in addition to Toliver, it could lead the Sparks in some weird alignments and rotations that could lead to some mismatches. The Sparks have already struggled on the defensive end and with cleaning up the glass, reeling in a slate-worst 46.9 percent of rebounds while allowing opposing teams to convert 44.7 percent of their attempts from three, 9.2 makes per contest. Arike Ogunbowale (7.8 3PA), Marina Mabrey (5.1 3PA), Allisha Gray (4.6 3PA) and Satou Sabally (4.3 3PA) are all options who can take advantage of the Sparks inability to guard the perimeter, While Kayla Thornton (7.5 REB) and Isabelle Harrison (6.1 REB) could be the primary beneficiaries on the glass. Teaira McCowan could also see some extra run in this one if the Wings feel a need for some added length against the 6-foot-8 Liz Cambage.

Dallas doesn't quite surrender the same number of triples as its opponent, but the Wings sit just mid-pack in defensive efficiency (seventh). The one thing that does match up well for the Sparks is their interior offense. The Sparks lead the league with 40.4 points per game in the paint and the Wings allow the second-most points in the paint (37.5), so there is a match there for a strong showing from Los Angeles' post players. Chennedy Carter is one player who could utilize this method, notching 68.0 percent of her buckets in the paint. This is especially true given how banged up the Sparks' backcourt is entering the contest. The Ogumike sisters and Liz Cambage are also candidates to capitalize on the interior, all notching north of 55 percent of their points inside.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Chris Benzine plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: Crispy272001, DraftKings: Crispy27.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chris Benzine
Chris is the college football editor and the Kansas City Chiefs beat writer. He's a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
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